Milford bullpen a group of unsung heroes

However, if you looked at some of the results from Milford's Post 59 run through the playoffs and in the Intrastate Final Eight tournament, you would think the team has been carried by its offense. But the Post 59 bullpen has also played a significant role that's been overlooked.

By Kevin J. Stone/Daily News correspondent

MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

By Kevin J. Stone/Daily News correspondent

Posted Aug. 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 6, 2013 at 6:04 AM

By Kevin J. Stone/Daily News correspondent

Posted Aug. 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 6, 2013 at 6:04 AM

NORWOOD

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The old saying goes that pitching and defense wins championships.

However, if you looked at some of the results from Milford's Post 59 run through the playoffs and in the Intrastate Final Eight tournament, you would think the team has been carried by its offense.

With two mercy-rule wins during the sectionals along with six- and eight-run games in the first two rounds of the Final Eight, the offense has certainly held up its end of the bargain.

But the Post 59 bullpen has also played a significant role that's been overlooked.

Most high school and Legion teams don't necessarily have a bullpen with defined roles. Milford, however, is not like many other teams.

Manager Brian Macchi has tried to use a steady stream of arms throughout the season.

While aces JJ Branch, Mile Tracy and Dan Avery get most of the credit, it's been the work of Kevin Martinis, Ian Strom and David Sampson out of the bullpen that's made the difference in leading Milford to the threshold of a spot in the state championship game.

Milford squared off against Norwood Monday night, with the winner claiming a spot in Tuesday’s state championship. Due to the late start, the game did not end in time for this edition of the Daily News. Please visit the Daily News website for a full recap of Monday’s game.

"At this time of year, everyone is really on board, but we tried to establish roles for everyone from day one this season," said Macchi. "It's nice to have guys who know they are going to be counted on in the late innings and be mentally ready for it. You don't just want to throw someone in that situation and expect good things out of them."

The importance of the bullpen was highlighted in both Saturday's win over Plymouth, in which Sampson closed the seventh inning, but even more so in Sunday's thrilling comeback win over Lowell.

Down four runs in the fifth inning against Lowell, Martinis came in and threw 2 1/3 innings of scoreless ball in order to keep Milford within striking distance long enough to mount its comeback. Strom had come on before Martinis in relief of Tracy but just couldn't find a groove and was a bit unlucky, with some sloppy defense behind him.

"Ian actually pitched well for us on Sunday but we just didn't make plays behind him, it happens and that's baseball," explained Macchi. "But, you look at what Kevin was able to do for us, it was huge. If he doesn't keep (Lowell) off the scoreboard for the rest of the game who knows if we have the opportunity to mount that comeback and put ourselves in the position that we're in now. It was huge and it just sort of highlights how important your entire team is this time of the year."

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The Post 59 offense has been a catalyst for the amazing run, while the underrated work of the bullpen is a large reason why the boys wearing maize and blue have been able to accomplish what they have to this point.

"We wouldn't be where we are right now without the work of those guys in the back end," proclaimed Macchi. "It takes everyone on this team, and the bullpen has been no exception. They've been outstanding for us."